Missouri Botanical Garden

Kids' First Time Fishing

Shaw Nature Reserve is teaming up with the Missouri Department of Conservation to provide a special fishing experience for first-time or inexperienced young anglers.

Equipment, bait and assistance will be provided. At least one adult should attend for every two children, and fishing is for kids only.

For ages 6 to 12. Cost is $14 per child; $12 per child for members of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Registration is required.

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American Girl Doll Event at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Meet Lea Clark, the 2016 American Girl Doll of the Year at the brand new Brookings Exploration Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

You'll discover the rainforest in the Climatron, make a craft in the Exploration Center's new PlantLab and then head to the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden for a special ice cream treat. Children will receive a bag filled with special goodies, admission to the Children's Garden and ice cream.

2-4 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults (age 13 and up) and $25 for children.

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Breakfast with the Very Hungry Caterpillar

Take your kids to The Butterfly House to have brunch with The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Guests will meet live caterpillars and butterflies, listen to readings of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, and explore the interactive Bug Stations.

This special day will be captured with a souvenir photo with The Very Hungry Caterpillar himself!

Reservations are required and space is limited.

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Gardenland Express Programs for Early Childhood

Early childhood teachers are invited to bring their students to the Missouri Botanical Garden for an unforgettable visit to the Gardenland Express. This year the annual holiday train show celebrates conifers of the world.

Children will enjoy the train show, complete a craft and learn how conifers help animals survive the winter. All classes receive a take-home Winter Kit to use in their classroom and schoolyard.

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Lantern Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden

See thousands of colorful and ornate lanterns light up the night sky when this ancient Chinese tradition returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the summer season. The Lantern Festival features 22 all-new sets of lanterns crafted from silk and steel, offering visitors the opportunity to experience an event rarely staged outside of Asia.

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Things to Do

WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary

Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience.

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Preschool Science: Science Tots at the Saint Louis Science Center

Science Tots is designed for children ages 18 to 36 months. The class provides opportunities to support brain development and learning. Toddlers and their grown-ups will explore STEM topics through songs, stories, hands-on exploration and play.

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

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Sensory Friendly Science Time

Sensory Friendly Science Time features reduced noise, modified lighting and sensory-friendly demonstrations at the Saint Louis Science Center.

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Romeo & Zooliet at the Saint Louis Zoo

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Romeo & Zooliet is a wildly fun, family-friendly stage adaptation of Romeo & Juliet! It explores what would happen if animals at the Saint Louis Zoo put on their own Shakespearean performance after zookeepers go home for the night. The show stage and seating area is designed as an enchanting version of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre within the Zoo's Historic Hill area. "Romeo & Zooliet" is produced as a partnership of the Saint Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. The production features dazzling animal puppetry by world-renowned Michael Curry Design, known for its work on Broadway's "The Lion King" and "Frozen," as well as Olympic and Super Bowl ceremonies.

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Visit the Missouri History Museum on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July for their Summer Family Fun Series! On Wednesdays, enjoy a variety of free family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts, all are tied into Museum exhibits and centered on a different theme each week. Learn about Caribbean, Latin American, and German cultures in STL, discover Missouri’s trains, planes and other forms of transportation innovation, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the History Clubhouse, and more! Fridays feature Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs followed by a drop-in craft workshop. Hear classic American folktales, stories about Juneteenth, sweet treats and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as other topics that families will love. The series is appropriate for children ages 2–12. For more detailed information on each day’s activities, visit the Museum’s website. Please note there is no program on Wednesday, July 2.

From arts, to STEM, to nature, sports and beyond, you'll find the best summer adventures for your kids in our Summer Camp Guide. Enroll now and plan your family's best summer yet. Our Summer Camp Guide is searchable for your child's interests, age, your location, whether you need before and after-care, and even for specific weeks. You'll find exciting opportunities for kids ages 3 to teenagers. Check our Summer Camp Guide now to get started!

The Fulton School is a toddler-through-12th-grade Montessori community in Chesterfield. The Montessori Method will blow you away. The early childhood programs focus on the foundation necessary for the rest of their education while also developing their self-confidence and character. The children work hard, but it feels like play because the beautiful environment is built just for them. Montessori-trained teachers prepare the environment with tried-and-true, research-proven materials to keep the children engaged and excited to learn. Students grow from concrete, hands-on learners to abstract thinkers, beginning with early reading and math skills.

Classrooms span three age levels, which allows teachers to build strong relationships and develop a deeper understanding of each child’s learning style over the course of three years. Children benefit from being the youngest and learning from peers to being the oldest and learning leadership skills, enjoying the pride of their hard work. Schedule a tour to see the campus, observe the complex beauty of a Montessori classroom, and chat with students/faculty. Come see how a Fulton School education helps children grow up well. LEARN MORE >

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